Top scorer in the French top flight and star of recently-crowned Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint Germain, Zlatan Ibrahimovic had plenty to say about how he was treated by officials during the season.
Giant Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic showed, once again during a press conference after Sweden’s 1-0 friendly victory over Macedonia, that he wasn’t one to beat around the bush or mince his words.
He started by diving straight into the controversy surrounding the PSG-Valenciennes match (1-1), during which club director Leonardo had pushed the referee, earning himself a nine-month suspension from the FFF (Fédération Française de Football):
“I thought I had seen everything, but apparently not,” said Zlatan. “Some things happen that should never happen. Incredible. Where did they find that referee? As far as I’m concerned, he’s the one who should have been suspended for nine months.”
In a tone laden with irony, the rangy striker then swept aside questions surrounding his future at the Paris club, scoffing at the very notion of any suggestion of him moving on, despite persistent reports to the contrary in the Italian press.
“It appears that I’m a Paris-Saint-Germain player,” said the Malmo man. “I have still two years to go on my contract.”
Ibrahimovic finished up with a curious side-swipe at his former team-mate David Beckham. For the last five months, the Englishman has been spending his time selling his image on the pitches of Ligue 1. Ibrahimovic found the exercise in personal marketing and attention-grabbing quite amusing: “I never saw anyone do so many ads,” commented the former AC Milan striker. “Everyone wants him.”
Was this jealousy?
“Non,” he swears. “In any case, I earn enough money.” €14 million net per season, to be precise. “Some people are made for publicity, others not.” I couldn’t have put it better myself, Zlatan.